New Orleans’ fourth Craft Beer Week is almost here, so put your drinking pants on and get ready to learn about that American industry that combines the ruggedly individual spirit of drinking something that isn't Bud or Miller, and the very communal act of gathering over a brew.

by Mary-Devon Dupuy

The people at Commander's Palace are at it again, cooking up new ways to fill our tummies and drain our wallets. Members of the Brennan family brought on a couple new additions to create their new restaurant in the old Bacco space. Known as SoBou, the new venture is moving into the W French Quarter Hotel at 316 Chartres St., with opening slated for June. The new partnership between two of the city's culinary giants makes for one of the most anticipated restaurant openings since the last most anticipated one. Today, this prime pairing provided a preview today.

One of the Bywater's favorite hangouts is hoping to rekindle the magic Uptown. Satsuma Cafe is bringing their coffee shop meets farm fresh vibe just south of Carrollton, with plans to open a second location this summer, according to a note they blasted today.

by Mary-Devon Dupuy

Jazz Fest has come and gone, but if you spent most of your time eating po-boys and Crawfish Monica and missed a good boil, there's another chance to go get your fix at UNO’s inaugural Crawfish Mambo Cook-Off this Saturday at the UNO Lakefront Campus.

JazzFest vets know the favorites, but they also know that waiting in line for those old favorites can cut into some serious eating and dancing time.

by Shay Sokol

BYWATER - Neighborhood favorite The Country Club finished renovating its bar last week into a spacious, 4-sided square walkaround. The changes add breathing room for drinking to its other amenities: a big Sunday brunch, and a saline pool mostly occupied by men whose state of dress tends to vary. Three large televisions are hung over the bar for watching the Saints, or whatever else is on during those terrible months of the year when it's not football season. A larger bar also means more options, including draft beer. 

While WWOZ show hosts like DJ Soul Sister and Jivin’ Gene have loyal followings, it’s hard to match listeners’ love for an icy Mango Freeze.  The fresh fruit sorbet is a staple of the Fest’s fare, often cited alongside dishes like Crawfish Monica and the cochon de lait po-boy as must-eat treats year after year.  

Virgins to Jazz Fest might assume from the name that the music at the festival is the sole attraction, but anyone who’s been knows they’d be wrong. NoDef kicks of Jazz Fest 2012 by peeling away the story on an old favorite: Pierre Hilzim's Crawfish Monica.

by Shay Sokol

Charles Justin Beasley and Jared Anthony Chauvin, are probably wishing they could plead insane craving for crawfish. Both men were arrested for stealing 166 pounds of crawfish from a seafood restaurant on April 13 in St. James Parish. They were booked with criminal damage to property for cutting the padlock on an outside walk-in cooler at Miko’s Seafood in Lutcher, and theft of crawfish.

Because Hooters is more about the wings, a bunch of other Brestaurants are on the rise. New Orleans is about to see the expansion first hand, when five new installments of Texas' own Twin Peaks let it all hang out in the metro area. Why is this happening? Well, if marketing slogans are worth anything, it's because "You're the Man." No word yet on where they'll be, but they're already promising "Scenic Views." Will David Lynch ever look at us the same way? (VIA)